No matter how great a companion a dog can be, several breeds have a reputation for becoming dangerous. Below, the attorneys at Weinberg Law Offices describe the 10 most dangerous dog breeds in Los Angeles.
We also explain the compensation available in a dog bite lawsuit and whether a dog’s breed affects your potential claim.
If a dog has attacked you, our office can help you understand your potential rights to compensation against the dog owner.
We know recovery can be time-consuming and agonizing. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of this alone. Contact our office today.
What Are the Most Dangerous Breeds?
Each dog’s personality is unique. Nonetheless, some breeds are statistically more likely to injure someone.
The top 10 most dangerous dog breeds in Los Angeles are as follows:
- Pit Bulls,
- German Shepherds,
- Rottweilers,
- Huskies,
- Chow Chows,
- Boxers,
- Alaskan Malamutes,
- Mastiffs,
- Doberman Pinschers, and
- Presa Canarios.
Even well-trained dogs sometimes bite to defend themselves or due to stress. Dogs may also attack because they are attempting to guard their territory. This is particularly true if an owner has trained their dog as a guard dog.
Dogs within each of these breeds can be well-trained and even perform effectively as service animals. However, owners must take responsibility for training their dogs to ensure they are not dangerous.
1. Pit Bulls
Pit bulls have the worst reputation because their breed statistically accounts for the highest percentage of reported dog attacks. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), pit bulls represent 22.5% of reported dog bites in an Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center study. Mixed breeds represented the second highest rate at 21.2%.
2. German Shepherds
The German Shepherd is another potentially dangerous breed. In the abovementioned study, German Shepherds were responsible for 17.8% of reported bites. However, German Shepherds can be trained to be service animals, and you’ll frequently find them employed by the police and the military.
3. Rottweilers
A rottweiler is a large dog with a very powerful mouth. These dogs can have an extremely brutal bite at about 328 PSI. Pit bulls, known for their powerful jaws, only have a PSI of 241. This means that a rottweiler, untrained, has the potential to cause severe injury when it bites.
4. Huskies
Huskies are among the most dangerous breeds because they have a strong drive to prey. They can also be independent and, thus, difficult to train. Huskies have a similar bite to Rottweilers at 320 PSI. Between 1979 and 1998, Siberian Huskies caused the death of 15 people in the United States.
5. Chow Chows
Chow Chows have an intense, powerful bite despite their fluffy and seemingly harmless appearance. Chow Chows are aloof when it comes to strangers and likely will not want to socialize with other animals. You should not have Chow Chows around young children.
6. Boxers
Boxers can be aggressive if they are not properly socialized. These dogs originally were hunting dogs in Germany. Boxers have a bite PSI of 230, and scars from a bite can be permanent.
7. Alaskan Malamutes
Alaskan Malamutes can be loyal but also strong-willed. This breed can be aggressive if they have been previously mistreated. Owners must train Alaskan Malamutes when they bring them into their homes. Like Huskies, these dogs have a high prey drive.
8. Mastiffs
Mastiffs look like bears, and these powerful dogs can cause catastrophic injuries. Mastiffs may bite if they have experienced neglect or feel threatened.
9. Doberman Pinschers
Another breed with a bad reputation is the Doberman Pinscher. These dogs are often used as guard dogs because of their forceful personalities. They are also relatively quick to bite if they believe their owner is threatened.
10. Presa Canarios
Presa Canarios are an intimidating breed. They have guarded homes for hundreds of years and are very territorial. While they can be good pets for the right owner, they do not trust strangers. Presa Canarios are protective and can pose significant risks to other people.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
You can pursue compensation for injuries from a dog bite against the dog owner. Generally, harmed individuals can recover two types of damages in a dog bite case: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are calculable losses you might have after a dog attack. Economic damages include medical costs and lost income if you cannot work while healing.
Moreover, injury victims can sometimes receive compensation for lost earning capacity. This refers to the earnings you would have made if you had not developed a disability or needed to change your career due to the injury.
Non-Economic Damages
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering,
- Inconvenience,
- Mental suffering,
- Emotional distress, and
- Loss of society and companionship.
Dog attacks can cause a significant amount of emotional trauma. For instance, someone could recover compensation for their mental suffering when they approach dogs in the future. They can also recover compensation for humiliation due to scarring.
Dog Bite Settlements
Dog bite settlements can vary. If you have a more severe injury, you’ll likely get a larger settlement than a minor injury.
For example, if your dog bite causes significant harm, requiring a hospital stay, surgery, and time out of work, your settlement could include all those costs. It could also include costs associated with your mental trauma.
However, if the dog bite was minor and did not require a hospital stay or missed work, your settlement would likely be less than the more severe injury.
A dog’s breed does not necessarily affect a dog bite settlement amount. Nevertheless, some California cities have breed-specific legislation (BSL). If the dog that hurt you was on the BSL list, this could strengthen your claim because it can help you show that the dog is dangerous.
This may make it more likely that the dog owner will settle for a larger amount because their chances of losing at trial would be higher.
How Can I Find a Dog Bite Lawyer?
If you are seeking to file a claim, it is critical that you hire the best dog bite lawyer possible. Our dog bite attorneys at Weinberg Law Offices can calculate your damages, negotiate a settlement, and fight your claim.
If you are not in our service area, you can browse attorney-specific directories such as Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell to find a dog bite attorney.
Suffering a Dog Bite Injury? Call (818) 697-1079 for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, regardless of its breed, contact the Weinberg Law Offices for help filing a dog bite lawsuit.
Our practice areas include dog bite claims, car accident claims, wrongful death claims, and other personal injury cases. Call us for a free consultation at 818-697-1079.
You might also be interested in:
- 6 Steps For Filing A Dog Bite Lawsuit
- What To Do In Case Of A Dog Bite? How To Make A Lawsuit Or Claim
- How Do I Find The Best Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me?
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.
As a personal injury attorney, my mantra is that there is no such thing as a “small case”. I will give 100% matter how big or small a case may be. I am fluent in English, Hebrew, and Spanish, languages which I use regularly in my practice.
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